Carton feeding machine



Oct, 18, 1932. c, RlCHARD 1,883,232

CARTON FEEDING MACHINE Filed April 2. 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 lnventor Qttornegs 1932- c. F. RICHARD CARTON FEEDING MACHINE Filed April 2. 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 H HI H H H H I H M J H W, Man 1, s /M Gttorneg:

Oct. 18, 1932. c. F. RICHARD CARTON FEEDING MACHINE Filed April 2, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 QNN Oct. 18, 1932. I Q AR 1,883,232

CARTON FEEDING MACHINE Filed Apri1 2. 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented a. 18, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CHARLES E. RICHARD, OF BATTLE GREEK, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO JOHNSON AUTO- MATIG SEALER 00., LTD., OF BATTLE CREEK,'MICHIGAN, A PARTNERSHIP ASSOCIA- TION LIMITED OF MICHIGAN CARTON FEEDING MACHINE Application filed April 2, 1929. Serial No. 351,931.

This invention relates to carton feeding machines, and while capable of general use, is particularly adapted for feeding cartons to a carton sealing machine or other similar instrumentality.

One object of the invention is to provide a carton feeding mechanism which, through the medium of traveling knives and pockets, acts to rapidly feed cartons to a carton sealing machine or the like.

Another object of the invention is to provide a carton feeding machine which, by means of a plurality of knives traveling one behind another, operates to rapidly and successively separate cartons from the stack and advance them in like manner to a carrier.

Another object of the invention is to provide a carton feeding machine which,through the medium of a plurality of movable knives and devices associated therewith, operates to rapidly separate, open, recollapse, and reopen cartons supplied from a stack thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide a carton feeding machine which, by provision of traveling knives and pockets, operates to continuously supply cartons to a continuously operated carton sealing machine or the like.

Another, object of the invention is to provide a carton feeding machine which embodies traveling knives, pockets, and associated devices, arranged compactly and readily adapted for installation with a carton sealing machine or other device to be fed.

Another object of the invention is to provide a carton feeding machine which is simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture and install, and capable of being operated for long periods with minimum attention on the part of the machine attendant.

Other objects of the invention will appear as the following description thereof proceeds, and in order to more clearly understand said invention, reference may be had to the appended drawings which illustrate one embodiment of the inventive idea.

In said drawings Fig. 1 is a side view of a carton sealing machine equipped with mechanism embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view, with parts omitted, of the machine and mechanism illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view of a delivering cartons successively into said pockets. These instrumentalities will be described in the order named, and are preferably operated and constructed as follows.

The carton sealing machine includes upper and lower side frame members 5 and 6, respectively, duplicated at opposite sides of the machine and joined together by upper cross members 7, 8 and lower cross members 9. 10. The lower cross members 9, 10 are bolted or otherwise suit-ably secured to legs 11, 12 disposed in pairs at opposite sides of the machine, respectively, and supporting the described framework therefor. The legs 11, 12 are, in turn, bolted or otherwise suitably se; cured to the machine foundation 13, one of the legs 12 having an extension 14 on which is bolted or otherwise suitably secured, as at 15, 15, a bracket 16.

Supported on the bracket 16 is an electric motor 17 which serves to drive the various movable parts of the machine. This motor 17 is supplied with electrical current from any suitable source, and the operation of the machine may be controlled either by a switch for said motor, or by a separate, manually operated clutch, 'or both. The control device or devices just mentioned are of the usual type provided on machines of this character. and it is therefore unnecessary to illustrate and describe the same.

. Fixed on the armature shaft 18 of the motor 17 is a pulley 19 around which passes a belt 20 that also passes around a pulley 21. Tension on the belt 20 may, if desired, be

I maintained by a roller 21' that is engaged by said belt and supported on a bracket 22 bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the lower side frame 6 adjacent the motor 17. The pulley 21 is fixed on a shaft 23 which extends transversely of the machine and is journaled in suitable bearings on the machine framework at the bottom thereof.

Fixed on the shaft 23 is a pulley 24 around which passes a belt 25 that also passes around a pulley 26. Tension on the belt 25 may, if desired, be maintained by a roller 25 which engages said belt and is supported on an arm 25" mounted in any suitable manner on the machine framework. The pulley 26 is fixed on a shaft 27 that extends transversely of the machine and is journaled on the machine framework at the top thereof. Fixed on the shaft 27 is a pulley 28 around which passes a belt 29 that also passes around a pulley 30. The tension on the belt 29 may be regulated as desired, by a roller 29 whichengages said belt and is adjustably supported in a bracket 29 bolted or otherwise suitably secured on the cross member 8. The pulley 30 is fixed on a shaft '31 that extends transversely of the machine at its forward end and is journaled in suitable bearings on the machine framework between the top and bottom thereof.

Fixed on the shaft 31 are sprockets 32 around which pass chains 33 that also pass around sprockets 34. The sprockets 34 are fixed on a shaft 35 which is journaled in suitable bearings on a cross member 36 of the machine framework. The cross member 36 is disposed between and secured to, upper and lower ways 37 and 38, respectively, and the chains 33, through the described driving connections therefor with the motor 17, travel continuously along said ways during the operation of said motor. The ways 37, 38 are bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the machine framework and project rearwardlv thereof as clearly shown in Fig. 1. Fixed at intervals along the chains 33 are a plurality of carton supports or forms 39. the bases of which engage the ways 37 and 38 to hold said supports or forms in proper position as they travel continuously with the chains 33. The supports or forms 39 are successively supplied with cartons 40 that are successively transferred onto said supports or forms from a plurality of pockets indicated broadly at 41 (Fig. 2). The pockets are preferably operated and constructed as follows.

Fixed on the shaft 35 is a. sprocket 42 around which passes a chain 43 that also passes around a sprocket 44. The sprocket 44 is fixed on a stub shaft 45 which is journaled in suitable bearings on a frame that supports the movable pockets 41 and is indicated broadly at 46 (Figs. 2 and 5). This frame- 7 meshes with a similar gear 51 which is fixed on a vertical shaft 52 journaled in suitable bearings on the frame 46. The frame 46 also has journaled in suitable bearings thereon, a vertical shaft 53. Fixed on the shafts 52, 53 are sprockets 52, 53, respectively, around which passes a chain 54 that is driven continuously by said sprockets through the driving connections therefor with the shaft 35. The pockets 41 are secured at intervals on the chain 54 in any suitable manner, and travel continuously With said chain. Said pockets open outwardly from the chain and stand vertically with respect thereto. The pocket-s 41 are all constructed alike and each of the same preferably includes the following devices.

For each pocket there are provided movable parts 55, 56 that form opposed carton supporting portions of the pockets and are adapted to be opened and closed by movement of said parts in opposite directions respectively. The parts 55, 56 are fixed in super posed spaced relation respectively on shafts 57, 58 that are journaled in suitable bearings on a bracket 59 secured to the chain 54. The pocket is normally closed by springs 60, 61 mounted on the shafts 57, 58, respectively, and having their opposite ends secured to said shafts and the bracket 59 respectively. These springs also act on the parts 55, 56 so that the latter yieldably grip cartons delivered therebetween.

Fixed on the shafts 57 near the upper ends thereof, are arms 62 having rollers 63 journaled thereon. The shafts 58 have fixed on their lower ends, arms 64 provided with rollers 65. The continuously traveling chain 54 and the pockets 41 secured thereto, are guided and maintained in proper position by ways 66, 67 (Fig. 2) that are arranged in spaced parallel relation with each other and with the carton sealing machine. These ways are bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the frame 46 below a cam rail 68 likewise secured to said frame and engaged by the rollers 63.

During travel of the pockets 41 with the chain 54 said pockets are opened and held open by engagement of the rollers with a cam rail 69, and engagement of the rollers 63 with cam portions 70, 71, 72 of the cam rail 68. The cam rail 69 is bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the machine frameopen by the cam 72 and the cam rail 69, receives a carton from one of the travelling knives hereinafter referred to. Thereafter the pocket closes to open and yieldably support the carton in the pocket while it carries the carton to the carton sealing machine. The carton is then transferred from the pocket by suitable means, onto one of the supports or forms 39 of the carton sealing machine.

Each pocket 41, after receiving a carton,

travels to a point where the rollers 63, are disengaged from the corresponding ends of the cams 72, 69, respectively. The springs 60, 61, which were tensioned when the pocket was opened, then act to close the parts 55,56 of the pocket and reopen and yieldably support the carton therein. Closing of the pockets in this manner occurs successively as the cartons are successively delivered therein, and the pockets containing cartons successively pass the carton sealing machine where the cartons are successively transferred from the pockets onto the successive carton supports or forms 39. r

In accordance with the present invention, the cartons are delivered into the pockets successively by a plurality of knives 73. The knives 7 3 operate succesively to separate collapsed cartons in like manner fro-ma stack 74 thereof supported and intermittently advanced by a feeder indicated broadly at 75 (Fig. 2). Each knife traveling in the direction of the arrows, engages the front carton of the stack 74 .on the inner face of the rear panel of said carton. Engagement of the knives with the cartons in this manner, is insured by making each carton with one flap shorter than the others in a manner well understood in the art. Engagement of the knife with the carton is effected to the rear of the longitudinal center line of the feeder 75, and adjacent one of the fold lines of the carton.

After the knife has engaged the carton in the manner stated, said knife moves upwardly in the carton and then forwardly to separate the cartons from the stack. During the first part of the forward movement of the carton, it is opened by guide elements 76, 77, between which the carton is advanced by the knife. The carton is then swung opposite to its original collapsed condition, and recollapsed by rollers 78 and guides 79 between which the carton is advanced by the knife. After passing through the guides 79, the knife delivers the carton into one of the open pockets 41,

said knife engaging the leading edge of thecarton with the front, inner corner of the pocketand traveling therewith until the pock et is closed. At this time. the knife moves downwardly and is completely withdrawn from the carton and the pocket. When the carton is delivered into the open pocket by the knife, the rear, vertical edge of the carton engages the outer, rear corner of the pocket so that the latter, on closing, reopens the stack and advancing them in like manner into the successive pockets 41. These knives travel continuously in a closed path and are preferably operated and constructed as follows. Fixed on the continuously driven shaft 35 is a sprocket 80 (Fig. 2) around which passes a chain 81 that also passes around a sprocket 82. This sprocket 82 is fixed on a horizontal stub shaft 83 that is journaled in a suitable bearing on a supporting frame indicated broadly at 83 (Fig. 3). This frame includes vertical supports 84, 85, that are secured to or formed integrally with, upper and lower horizonal supports 86 and 87, respectively.

Fixed on the shaft 82 is a bevel gear 88 that meshes with a similar gear 89 which is fixed on a vertical shaft 90 journaled in suitable hearings on the framework 83 at one end thereof. Journaled in suitable bearings on the opposite end of said framework, is a vertical shaft 91. The shafts 90, 91 are both disposed in a vertical plane extending at an angle to the vertical plane of the front of the feeder 75. Fixed on the shafts 90, 91 are sprockets 92 and 93, respectively; around which pass a chain 94 having bolt-ed or otherwise suitably secured at intervals thereon. a plurality of holders 95 for the knives 73. The knives and holders are all constructed alike, and it is therefore only necessary to describe one assembly of these parts.

Each holder 95 is provided with a rectangular opening 96 in which is arranged to reciprocate vertically, a slide 97. This slide 97 has journaled on its lower end, a roller 98 that is adapted to continuously engage an endless cam rail 99. Fixed on the upper end of the slide 97, as by a pin 100, is a knife support 101 that reciprocates with the slide 97 above the holder 95. The knife support 101 has secured to or formed integrally therewith, spaced curved arms 102 the apertured ends of which have rigidly secured therein, as by a cotter key 104, a pin 105. J ournaled on the pin 105, between the arms 102, is a sleeve 106 having secured to or formed integrally therewith, a bracket 107. The knife 7 3 is bolted or otherwise suitably secured, as at 108, 108, to the bracket 107, and extends therewith vertically from the support 101.

Secured to or formed integrally with the holder 101, are brackets 109, 110, that extend in a vertical plane substantially at right angles to that of the ends of the arms 102. Threaded through the upper .end of the bracket is a set screw 111 that bears against the front face of the knife 73. EX- tending rearwardly of the knife. through alined openings 73 and 107 formed in said knife and the bracket 107, respectively, is a pin 112 that also eXtends through a suitable opening formed in upper end of the bracket 109. Arranged on the pin 112 between the bracket 107 and the arm 109, is a spring 113 which provides for yielding movement of the knife 73 when it engages the front carton of the stack. ment of the pin 112 from the brackets 107, 109, is prevented by a cotter key 114 at the front of the knife and a collar 115 at the rear of the bracket 109. The cotter key 114 passes through a suitable opening in one end of the pin 112, and a similar key 116 passes through suitable alined openings in the opposite end of the pin and the collar 115 thereon.

The cam rail 99 previously referred to, is supported by brackets 117 which project outwardly from the frame 83 and are bolted or otherwise suitably secured thereto. This cam rail is formed near the feeder 75, with a cam portion 118 for lifting each knife 73 upwardly into the front carton of the stack 74. The upper end of the cam portion 118 terminates in an elongated horizontal cam portion 119 that holds the knife in raised position in the carton while it is being advanced through the rollers 78 and guides 79 by said knife. The cam portion 119 further acts to hold the knife in raised position until it has delivcred the carton into one of the open pockets 41, the cam portion 119 terminating at one end, however, in a cam portion 120 down which the knife travels to withdraw it from the carton and the pocket. The lower end of the cam portion 120 terminates in the cam rail 99 proper along which the knife travels in lowered position until it reaches the cam portion 118. The described cams successively raise and lowerathe successive knives as they travel along the cam rail 99 to successively separate, open, recollapse, and deliver the cartons into the successive pockets 41.

The feeder 75 (Figs. 2 and 3)may be of any suitable construction adapted to support the stack 74 of collapsed cartons on edge and advance them intermittently as the cartons are successively separated from the front of the stack by the knives 73. As here in disclosed, the feeder 75 is supported on a framework including side members 121. arranged in spaced relation and joined together at their opposite ends by cross members such as indicated at 122. The cross members 122, in turn, are bolted on legs such as indicated at 123, said legs being arranged Endwise displace- 9 in pairs at opposite ends of the machine and bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the machine foundation 13.-

J ournaled in suitable bearings on the front legs 123, is an intermittently driven shaft 124 (Fig. 3) on which is fixed a sprocket 125. Passing around the sprocket 125 is a chain 126 which, together with said sprocket and the shaft 124, is controlled and intermittently driven by any suitable devices (not shown) for these purposes. Fixed on the shaft 124 are bevel gears 127 that mesh with similar gears 128 fixed on the lower ends of spaced vertical shafts 129 that are journal-ed in suitable bearings on the frame side members 121.

Fixed on the shafts 129 are sprockets 130 around which pass chains 131 that also pass around sprockets (not shown) journaled in any suitable manner on the end of the feeder opposite that carrying the shafts 129. Secured to the chains 131 at intervals along the same, are transversely alined stops 132 in front of which may be placed followers such as indicated at 133.. The stack 74 of collapsed eartons is placed in the feeder behind a follower 133 which, with the cartons 40 comprising said stack, stands on edge and is supported by a pair of rails 134- arranged in spaced relation between the chains 131 and extending longitudinally of the feeder. These rails are supported in any suitable manner by the feeder framework and have secured thereto the guides 76, 77 that open out the collapsed cartons when they are drawn through said guides by the knives 73.

The cam portion 118 of the track 99 is formed so that each knife passes under the guides 76 before moving upwardly into the front carton of the stack 74. The guides 7 6, as well as the guides 77, may, if desired, be mounted in any suitable manner for yielding movement to prevent obstruction by said guides of movable parts traveling in proximity thereto. In this case, any yieldable connections provided will be of sufiicient strength to return the guides 76, 77 to their normal operative positions.

The rollers 78 and the guides 79 provide a relatively narrow passage through which the knives 73 advance the open cartons to recollapse the same oppositely to their original collapsed condition. The rollers 78, as herein shown, are journalcd in suitable hearings on brackets 135 (Fig. 3), the upper ends of which are connected by a. short cross memher 136. The lower ends of the brackets 135 are bolted or otherwise suitably secured on the rear ends of horizontal members 137 that form part of a supporting frame including vertical legs 138 secured to said horizontal members and bolted or otherwise suitably fastened to the machine foundation 13.

The guides 79, as herein d sclosed, are sup ported on the horizontal members 13"- through the medium of brackets 139 that are formed integrally with said guides and bolted or otherwise suitably secured to said horizontal members. Spreading of the guides at the top thereof may, if desired, be prevented by clips 140 secured to one guide and carrying set screws 141 engaged over the opposite guide on the outer face thereof. v

The operation of the carton feeding machine willbe clearly understood fro-m the foregoing and may be briefly summarized as follows. The feeder 75 intermittently advances the stack 74 of cartons as the latter are successively separated from the front thereof by the traveling knives 73. These knives, in turn, carry the cartons successively through the guides 76, 77 the rollers 78, and the guides 79, which act to open out and recollapse cartons opposite to their original collapsed condition, to cthereby take the spring out of said cartons. The recollapsed cartons are delivered in succession by the knives 73 intothe successive pockets 41 which have been previously opened as before described, before reaching the path of travel of the recollapsed cartons. The pockets 41 successively receiving the cartons from the knives 73, are successively closed to reopen the cartons in the pockets, the cartons thereafter being successively transferred onto successive supports or forms 39 of the carton sealing machine.

Any suitable means may be employed for so transferring the cartons, and as herein disclosed each pocket is provided with a vertically movable stripper 142 that normally stands above the pockets but is adapted to be moved downwardly into engagement with a carton therein to transfer it onto one of 'journaled onv the lower ends thereof rollers 146 which engage a cam rail 147, the major portion of which acts, through engagement with said rollers, to hold the .rods 145 in raised position so that the strippers 142 stand above the pockets 41. This cam rail 147 is supported by brackets 148 that extend outwardly from the frame 46 and have their opposite ends bolted or otherwise suitably securedto said cam rail and said frame respectively."

When each pocket 41 with a reopened carton therein, approaches the carton sealing machine, the roller 146 of said pocket is engagedunder the upper end of a downwardly inclined cam 149 that moves the strip- 39. After the carton has been transferred in the manner stated, the roller 146 of said pocket is disengaged from the lower end of the cam 149 and engages the lower end of an upwardly inclined cam 150. The cams 149 and 150 are bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the frame 46, and when the cam roller 146 engages the cam 150, said cam acts to" lift the rod 145 and the stripper 142 so that the latter returns to a position above the pocket carrying it. When the stripper has been lifted as stated, the roller 146 engages the track 147 and travels therealong to hold the stripper raised until the pocket has received "and reopened a carton and travels to a point where said carton is to be transferred to the carton sealing machine as before described. All of the strippers are operated successively in the manner above pointed out as the successive pockets travel adjacent the carton sealing machine to have the cartons successively transferred onto the successive supports or forms 39 thereof.

corresponding number of traveling knives and pockets are preferably employed, and can be increased or decreased as desired. The traveling knives, however, may be used alone, or in combination with other devices such, for example, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It is therefore'to be expressly understood, that while I have described and illustrated with moreor less particularity, one embodiment of the invention, the invention is not limited to said embodiment, or otherwise than by the terms of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

-1. The combination with means for supporting a supply of cartons, of means for separating and advancing cartons successive ly from said supply and comprising a plu rality of knives each movable in opposite directions independently ofthe other orothers and all traveling together in another direction along a path extending in proximity to said supporting means.

2. The combination with means for supporting a supplyof cartons, of means for separating and advancing cartons successively from said supply and comprising a. series of knives each movable in opposite directions independently of the others andall traveling together in another directionalong a closed path extending in proximity to said supportingmeans.

3. The combination with means for sup porting a supply of cartons, of means for separating and advancing cartons successively from said supply and comprising a plurality of knives each movable in opposite directions independentlyofthe other or others and all traveling continually along a path extending in proximity to said supporting means.

4. The combination with means for supporting a stack of collapsed cartons, of

means for separating. and advancing cartons successively from said stack and comprising a plurality of knives movable one after an-' other in the same direction along a path extending in proximity to said supporting means, andmeans for opening the cartons successively as they are separated and advanced from the stack by said knives. v

5. The combination with means for sup porting a stack of collapsed cartons, of means for separating and advancing'cartons succes sively from said stack and comprising a plurality of knives movable one after another along a path extending in proximity to said.

7. The combinationwith means for supporting a stack of collapsed cartons, of a plurality of knives arranged to move one behind another and adapted to separate and advance cartons successively from said stack, means for opening and recollapsing the cartons successively separated and advanced by said knives, and a plurality of movable car ton supporting pockets adapted to receive the recollapsed cartons successively from the knives.

8. The combination with means for sup-- porting a stack of collapsed cartons, of a plu-' rality of knives arranged to move one behind another and adapted to separate and advance cartons successively from said stack, means for opening and recollapsing the cartons successively separated and advanced by said knives, a plurality of movable carton supporting pockets adapted to receive the collapsed cartons successively from theknives, and means for opening and closing the successive pockets to receive and reopen the cartons therein respectively.

9. The combination with means for supporting a supply of cartons, of a plurality of movable carton supporting pockets, a plurality of movable knives adapted one after another to transfer cartons successively from the supply into the successive pockets, and means for successively moving the knives into and out of the individual cartons at the supply and the pockets respectively.

10. The combination with means for supporting a supply of cartons, of a plurality of movable carton supporting pockets, a plurality of movable knives adapted one after an other to transfer cartons successively from the supply into the successive pockets, a machine or movable device to be fed, and means for transferring the cartons successively from said pockets to said machine or movable device."

11. The combination with means for supporting a supply of cartons, of a driven element arranged to move in proximity thereto and carrying a plurality of knives each movable independently of the other or others transversely of said driven element and adapted to separate and advance cartons suc cessively from said supply.

12. The combination with means for supporting a supply of cartons, of a driven element arranged to move in proximity thereto and carrying a plurality of knives each movable independently of the other or others transversely of said driven element and adapted to separate and advance cartons successively from said supply, and means for driving said driven element and for moving said knives thereon.

13: The combination with means for supporting a supply of cartons, of a driven element arran ed to move in proximity thereto and carrying a plurality of knives each mounted on said driven element to move transversely thereof independently of the other or others and adapted to separate and advance cartons successively from said supply, and means for moving said knives in succession transversely of the driven element and into successive cartons of the supply.

141. In a carton feeding machine, a driven chain or belt, a supply of cartons adjacent the path of travel of said chain or belt, and a plurality of carton engaging knives carried by said chain or belt and each movable thereon in opposite directions independently of the other or others.

15. In a carton feeding machine, a. driven chain or belt, a supply of cartons adjacent the path of travel of said chain or belt, a plurality of carton engaging knives movably mounted on said chain or belt to travel therewith, and means for moving the knives successively into successive cartons of said supply While the knives are traveling with the chain or belt. I, 16. In. carton feeding machine, a driven chain or belt, a plurality of carton advancing knives movably mounted at intervals on the chain or belt, means for moving the knives successively into successive cartons while the knives are traveling with the chain or belt, and means for withdrawing the knives successively from the successive cartons advanced thereby.

17 In a carton feeding machine, a driven element, a plurality of carton advancing knives movably mounted at intervals on said element to travel therewith, and cam means for moving the knives successively into and out. of successive cartons advanced thereby.

18. In a carton feeding machine, a movable carrier, a supply of cartons adjacent the path of travel of said carrier, a plurality of holders fixed at intervals thereon, a corresponding number of knife supports mounted on said holders for movement transversely of the carrier, a corresponding number of knives each yieldably mounted on one of the knife supports and movable thereby into and out of a carton between the walls thereof while said carton is in said supply, and means for reciprocating the supports and said knives trans versely of the carrierduring their travel therewith.

19. In a carton feeding machine, a knife, carrier, a supply of cartons adjacent the path of travel of said carrier, a plurality of knife supports mounted at intervals on the carrier to travel, therewith and move transversely thereof, a corresponding number of knives yieldably mounted on, the knife supports, means for moving the carrier and the elements carried thereby together, and means for reciprocating the supports and knives transversely of the carrier during their travel therewith whereby each knife may be moved into and out of a carton between the Walls thereof while said carton is in said supply.

20. In a carton feeding machine, an end less chain or belt, means fordriving the same, a supply of cartons adjacent the path of travel'of said chain or belt, a single series of" knives mounted at intervals on the chain or belt. to travel therewith and each move transversely thereof independently'of the others, and cam means adjacent the chain orbelt adapted to reciprocate the knives transversel y of said chain or belt and moves each knifeinto and out of a carton between the walls thereof while said carton is in said supply.

21. The combination with means for supporting a supply of cartons, of a plurality of movable carton supporting pockets; and means for transferring the cartons successively from said supply to the successive pockets and comprising a plurality of movable knivcs arranged to travel one behind another along a closed path.

22 The combination Withmeans for supporting asupply of cartons, of a plurality of carton supporting pockets, means for transferring cartons successively from said supply .to the successive pockets and comprising a carrier, a plurality of knives mounted at intervals on said carrier to travel therewith and move transversely thereof, and means for moving the knives transversely of the carrier to enter and withdraw them from the cartons at the supply and the pockets respectively.

23. The combination with means for supporting a supply of cartons, of a plurality of movable pockets, means for transferring the cartons successively from the supply to the successive pockets and comprising an endless carrier, means for driving the same, a plu rality of knives mounted at intervals on the carrier to travel therewith and move transversely thereof, and cam means for moving the knives in opposite directions transversely of the carrier to enter and withdraw them from the cartons at the supply and the pockets respectively.

24. The combination with means for supporting and advancing a stack of collapsed cartons, of a plurality of movable carton supporting pockets, an endless carrier interposed between said means and the pockets, means for driving the carrier, a plurality of knives mounted at intervals on the carrier to travel ity (if means movable in succession along a path of travel therefor, and ineans for moving each of said first named means one after another transversely of said path into, and between the walls of, a carton in a supply, to separate and advance cartons successively therefrom.

26. In a carton feeding machine, a plurality of means movable in succession along a path of travel therefor, means for moving each of the plurality of means one after another in one direction transversely of said path into, and between the walls of, a carton 'in' a supply, to separate and advance cartons successively therefrom, and means for moving each of said'plurality of means one after another in the opposite direction transversely of said path and out of the separated and advanced cartons.

27. Ina carton feeding machine, a plurality of means movable in succession along a closed path of travel therefor, and means for successively moving said plurality of means transversely of said path into, and between the walls of, successive cartons in a supply, to separate and advance the cartons suc cessiuely therefrom.

28.] In a. carton feeding machine, a plural ity of means movable in succession. along a closed path of travel therefor, means for successively moving the plurality of means in one direction transversely of said path into, and between the walls of, successive cartons in a supply, to separate and advance said cartons successively therefrom, and means for successively moving said plurality of means in the opposite direction transversely of said path and out of the cartons successively separated and advanced from said supply.

29. In a carton feeding machine, a plurality of knives movable one after another along a path of travel therefor, and means for successively moving each of said knives one after another transversely of said path into, and oetween the walls of, a carton in a supply, to separate and advance cartons successively therefrom.

30. In a carton feeding machine, a plurality of knives movable one after another along a path of travel therefor, means for moving each of the knives one after another-in one direction transversely of said path into, and between the walls of, a carton in a supply, to separate and advance cartons therefrom, and

means for moving each of said knives one after another in the opposite direction transversely of said path and out of the cartons successively separated and advanced from said supply.

31. In a carton feeding machine, means movable along a path of travel therefor, .a plurality of carton separating and advancing instrumentalities mounted on said means to travel therewith and move thereon, and means for moving each of said instrumentalities one after another on said first named means into, and between the walls of, a carton in a supply, to separate and advance cartons successively therefrom.

32. In a carton feeding machine, means movable along a path of travel therefor, a plurality of carton separating and advancing instrnmentalities mounted on said means to travel therewith and move thereon, means for moving each of the carton separating and advancing instrumentalities one after another on said first named means into, and between the walls of, a carton in a supply, to separate and advance cartons successively therefrom, and means for moving each of said instrumentalities one after another in the opposite direction on said first. named means out of the cartons successively separated and advanced from said supply. i

33. In a carton feeding machine, endless means movable along a pathof travel there for, aplurality of knives mounted on said means to travel therewith and move thereon, and means for moving each knife on said first named means into, and between the walls of, a carton in a supply, to separate and advance cartons successively'therefrom.

34. In a carton feeding machine, endless means movable along a path of travel therefor, a plurality of knives mounted on said means to travel therewith and move thereon, means for moving each knlfein one direction on the first named means into, and be tween the walls of, a carton in a supply, to

separate and advance cartons successively therefrom, and means for inoving each knife in the. opposite direction on said first named means, to withdraw the knives from the cartons successively separated and advanced from said supply.

35 In combination, a plurality ofmovable holders, a plurality of movable carton separating and advancing instrumentalities each adapted to enter a carton between the walls thereof and advance said carton for delivery to one of the movable holders, a movable device, and means for transferring the cartons successively from said holders to said movable device.

. 36. In combination, a plurality of movable pockets, and a plurality of carton separating and advancing knives movable one after another along a path of travel therefor and each adapted to enter a carton between its walls and advance said carton for delivery 'into one of said pockets.

37. In'combination, a plurality of continuously travelling pockets, and a plurality of continuously travelling carton separating and advancing instrumentalities each adapted to enter a carton between the walls thereof and advance said carton for delivery into one of said pockets.

38. In combination, a plurality of pockets movable one after another along a closed path, and a plurality of carton separating and advancing instrumentalities movable one after another along a closed path and adapt- .ed one after another to enter cartons between the Walls thereof and advance said cartons for delivery into said pockets.

39. In combination, movable means, a plurality of carton advancing instrumentalities movably mounted on the movable means, means for moving the carton advancing instrumentalities successively into successive cartons while said instrumentalities are travelling with the movable means, and means :for withdrawing the carton advancing instrumentalit-ies successively from the cartons successively advanced thereby. 40. In combination, a plurality of continuously movable pockets, means for delivering cartons thereto comprising a continuously movable carrier and a plurality of instrumentalities movably mounted thereon, and means for moving said instrumentalities in ,opposite directions on the carrier to insert themin and withdraw them from cartons at a supply and the pockets respectively.

In testimony whereof I' have signed this specification.

CHARLES F. RICHARD. 

